Jerry Hulse's Travel Tips

This is a big year for New Zealand. Travel agents tell of record bookings. A thrifty deal involves motor homes. Rent a three-berth Toyota for as little as $20 a day (a six-berth Mitsubishi figures out to $30). You get a guidebook, road maps, campsite directory, discount book, sightseeing materials. A choice of more than 450 RV parks. Overnight camping for as little as $6. Rentals are offered in conjunction with Continental Airlines by New Zealand Motorhome Adventures. For details contact Ron Armstrong's World Adventures, P.O. Box 3009, Newport Beach, Calif. 92663. Telephone (714) 645-8873, (800) 222-8687 nationwide or (800) 221-8687 within California.

Holland Bargain

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is offering a bargain for passengers flying to Amsterdam. For $10 they'll put you into a hotel for one night, give you bus transfers from Schiphol Airport, a continental breakfast and a food/beverage credit at your hotel that figures out to 40 Dutch guilders or about $13. The offer is good through Oct. 31. Details from your travel agent or KLM, 9841 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles 90045.

Home Exchange

In our article on home exchanges (April 20) we overlooked three additional choices:

For other information on home exchanges/rentals, contact the individual foreign government tourist office in the Los Angeles metropolitan telephone directory (a listing of these offices appeared in the March 23 International Travel Issue of the Los Angeles Times).

Other boat rentals offered through the Vancouver Yacht Hotel (next to Vancouver's Bayshore Inn) by Us Inc., 7342 15th Ave. N.W., Seattle, Wash. 98117. See your travel agent or call the agency, (206) 789-6500. The toll-free number in Washington state is (800) 562-7454.

Meanwhile, a couple of students at the University of British Columbia are offering accommodations at fraternity houses on the UBC campus. Rates are $17.50 per night (take your own sleeping bag and the tab is only $10). Contact Point Gray Property Managers Assn., 5785 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1L9 or telephone (604) 224-7576.

Argentina

With the turmoil in Europe, travelers are looking to South America. Some real bargains. This note from Raul Coria, vice president of Aerolineas Argentinas in Los Angeles: "Our latest tour package to Argentina is nine days. Includes the air fare round trip from Los Angeles with visits to Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Iguazu Falls for $1,249." Coria calls it a "super deal." Aerolineas Argentinas is pitching dozens of other packages. One (Tango in Argentina) sells for $999, including air fare, a city tour in Buenos Aires, tango shows, etc. See your travel agent or contact the airline, 545 S. Olive St., Los Angeles 90013. Telephone (213) 683-1070.

Hong Kong Shopper

Here's a new service for travelers heading for Hong Kong. An agency called Shop-a-Tour will whisk you off on a personalized shopping spree in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz. Itineraries tailored for the individual. Jewelry, cameras, clothing, art. Make up your own list. Shop-a-Tour promises "real bargains." They also do a "get-to-know-Hong Kong" tour by foot/taxi. Guides are long-time residents, experienced shoppers. Write in advance for reservations: Shop-a-Tour, G.P.O. Box 3281, Hong Kong.

New Zealand Rail Pass

Most of you have heard about Europe's Eurailpass but few are familiar with the New Zealand Railways Travelpass. Good for unlimited bus/train travel on the North and South Islands plus ferries serving both shores. Rates: $107 for eight days, $140 for 15 days, $188 for 22 days. The eight-day pass must be bought before leaving the United States. Others on sale in New Zealand. Contact the New Zealand Tourist & Publicity Office, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1530, Los Angeles 90024, or call (213) 477-8241.